A descriptive analysis of service-users attending an outpatient treatment centre during 2009/2010

Matt Talbot Services (MTS) is a day treatment service for victims of substance-use aged between 14 and 23 years within the Cork/Kerry area of Ireland. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of service-users who attended MTS. This exploratory work will serve as a base for future research on adolescent use of illegal and prescription substances. Data were collected from the records of entrants to the service in the years 2009 and 2010. These records were compiled from interviews conducted during initial therapy sessions and subsequent follow-up meetings. General demographic data on service-users; gender, age and information pertaining to education, current and past substance use, and treatment details were recorded. The data were anonymised and a database was constructed in Microsoft Access® 2010. A retrospective analysis was performed using Predictive Analytics SoftWare Statistics (PASW; SPSS Inc. Chicago, Ill.) version 18.0. The records of 189 service-users were analysed. The sample population was predominantly male (93.1%) and mean age at entrance was 16.2 years (SD = 1.24 years). 176 service-users admitted to cannabis use and 170 reported having consumed alcohol in their lifetime. The median number of substances regularly used was 3 (IQR = 2–4). The mean age of first substance use was 12.7 years (SD = 1.75 years). Cannabis was the first substance used by 74.1% of service-users. There was a marked increase in the percentage of service-users who had used benzodiazepines in the 2009 (14.6%) and 2010 (59.0%) data. Substance misuse in the Cork/Kerry area is problematic. The pharmacist is often the first healthcare professional that parents/guardians will come to when they have suspicions about substance use in their children. It is important for pharmacists to have current, evidence-based knowledge about trends in substance use in their local area. Many young persons will not make their pharmacist aware of their substance use, and interactions between these and their prescribed medicines will occur. Increased awareness can minimise this.